488 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



by tax levies. The assessor is bound nent supply that has brought about our 

 by law to add the value of the trees deplorable condition. But there is good 

 to that of the land on which they stand, ground for hope. The same conditions 

 and that value is, in the main, a pros- prevailed in Germany, France, and 

 pective and uncertain one. It may never Switzerland 200 years ago, and they 

 materialize. Disease, winds, fire, or in- have succeeded in establishing remuner- 

 sects may destroy the trees, and at best ative forests, and to assert or assume 

 there can be no return for a long time, that our people are unable to cope with 

 while the taxes are continually increas- our present conditions, is to challenge 

 ing. Our tax laws were framed when their spirit and intelligence. We can 

 we had a plethora of forests ; now we retrieve our misfortune if we but first 

 have the reverse, and our laws should comprehend the situation. 

 be made to conform to present and But how is all this to be accom- 

 prospective conditions. The land upon plished? Briefly stated, it must come 

 which young trees of valuable species through the education of the people; 

 are growing should be taxed as naked and before closing it will be well to 

 land only, and when the crop matures see, for a moment, what instrumentali- 

 and is harvested, that should be taxed, ties are or can be made most potent in 

 but not before. Tax the land and product that work. Foremost among them all 

 separately. Here is a point for serious is the public press, next the schools, and 

 consideration, and our lawmakers should after these comes the efforts of asso- 

 take a broad, statesmanlike view of it ciations, societies, and individuals. Too 

 and remove the incubus that now rests much cannot be said in praise of the 

 upon the restoration of our forests, for, willingness and desire of the press to 

 unless it shall be removed, no improve- do in the matter of forestry. Rarely 

 ment of our forest conditions can be does one see anything against the for- 

 expected, except what national and state estry movement in the editorial columns 

 governments can bring about. Presi- of any influential newspaper of the day. 

 dent Taft stated in the speech to which It is only when a partisan spirit is man- 

 I have referred that but three per cent ifested over some proposed legislation 

 of private timber lands of the United which some one deems should be op- 

 States were administered according to posed because the opposite party favors 

 forestry methods. My belief is that not it, that anything hostile is to be seen. The 

 one per cent is, certainly not in Penn- public press may be safely set down as 

 sylvania. But that is as much as we friendly to reforestation and conserva- 

 should expect under our present system tion. Editors seldom fail to publish 

 of taxation. Such changes should be any well written communication favor- 

 made in our tax laws as will encourage ing such measures. It is through the 

 all land owners to plant and grow forest press that the great mass of the people 

 trees. We now not only discourage, but can be reached, and newspapers should 

 practically prohibit them. No half-way be encouraged in their efforts, 

 work will answer. Hamlet's advice to Next to the public press, but not so 

 the players to "reform it altogether" quick to meet conditions and bring 

 will apply here. about results, are the schools of the 

 It is confessed that the foregoing ex- land, especially those of the higher 

 hibit of our condition is neither assur- grades. Out from their doors go 

 ing nor cheerful ; but, on the other teachers, who, in a broad sense, are 

 hand, it is somewhat discouraging. But public educators and of wide influ- 

 it must not be forgotten that the whole ence, and they mingle with the youth 

 subject is a new one to our people. Be- of the land, who must, ere long, take up 

 lieving our forests inexhaustible, we the work now in its infancy. No more 

 have not only been diligent in exploit- useful effort can be put forth than you 

 ing them, but actually wasteful ; and all are displaying here in Lehigh Univer- 

 this must and will cease. It has been sity. Your efforts are not confined to 

 this almost universal belief in a perma- the classroom, from which they may be 



